16 Oct 2025
52m

The Time Machine (Archive Episode)

Podcast cover

In Our Time

This BBC podcast episode of "In Our Time" features Melvyn Bragg and three guests—Amanda Rees, Simon James, and Simon Schaffer—discussing H.G. Wells's novel "The Time Machine." The discussion covers Wells's background, the social and scientific context of the book, the plot and characters, and the book's themes, including class struggle, evolution, eugenics, and the tragedy of extinction. The panel also explores the book's initial reception, its influence, and its relevance to contemporary issues, with the guests analyzing the symbolism and warning present in Wells's work.

Outlines

Part 1: Introduction and Context

Part 2: Themes and Interpretations

Part 3: Legacy and Analysis

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